Ornamental chain



March 7, 1933. y K, c:l AUGENSTElN 1,900,377

l CHA Filed Jan. 28, 195o =\MmmmMmmmHummmmannnmmmwmuml Mmmm ff @JM z Patented Mar. 7, 1933 OFFICE f KARL c. AUeENsTEIN, oFl cnnlvsrroir,y RHODE ISLAND, VAssiernon To 'EDwiN F. uit.v

SPEIDEL, or Enenwoon, nHoDE ,rsnnitny ORNAMENTAL CHAIN My present invention relates to ornamental chains suitable for use in liexible bracelets, watch chain straps, and thelike.

One object of my invention is to form an ornamental chain of rigid, sturdy construction from sheet metal blanks.

Another object of the invention is to utilize links of similar kform which directly hingedly engage each other, thus simplifying manufacture and repair. l

A further object is to form sheet metal links which will simulate staggered links of different widths when assembled to form a flexible chain.

Still another object is to strengthen the construction of links folded from sheet metal blanks'by providing staggered `abutting edge portions.

With these and other object-s and advantageous features in View, the invention consists of novel arrangements of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed descriptionfollowing, in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, and more particularly set forth .25. in the appended claims.

In the drawing: Fig. l is a top plan view of the improved chain;

.'Fig. 2 is abottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a sheet metal blank for one link;

Figs. 4i and 5 are respectively front and rear views of a folded link; Figs. 6 and 7 are sections on the lines 6-6 and 7-7 of Figure 4;

Fig. 8 shows two links connected together; Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Fig. 10 shows a modied form of link; Fig. l1 shows a section of chain formed therewith;

Fig. 12 is aplan of blank; and

View of a modified form Fig. 13 shows the staggered joindure, in a raided'v link formed thermen, tithe' abut-` ting'edges ofthe side sections. vl It has been founddesirable in the formation of sheet metal links. for ornamental chains to directly hingedly engage the links and so form the links yas Vto simulate staggered links of varying widths; in addition,

ithas been found desirable tostrengthen the hinge connections, either by" lapping the edges of the sides when folding thelinks, or by .abuttingv the edges'and staggering the joint; and the following is aY detailed deer 'size which formlth'e sides of Aother 4link sectionsz25, the link 'sections 25 being staggeredin relation to the link'sections 23, andr f end portions 26 which fold over to cover the. ends of the outer link sections 23; openings whichv become pivot bars 29 after, the ylinkis folded,"`for .receiving the bent ends 30 of the side sections 2 3 Vof the next adjoining link.

In assembling the chain, each linkis fold- TQ 27 are 'also providedtoforrnbar portions 28l ed so as to kbring the sides of thelink sections in parallel relation, with:y thefpivotfbars 29 and the end sectionsj26 perpendicular therel to; the ends' 30 of the side sections'are now lapped over the lpivot bars 29 of the adjacent assembly. u y

The impro ed chain. therefore presents the appearance of staggered links of different width, this appearance being aided if desired by appropriate markings or lineson the-top f link, as shown in`Figure9, to completeV the portions ofthe links; groovesmay also be provided betwen contiguous link'sections to simulate completeseparation thereof'.` TheY flapping of the ends over pivoti'bars 29 results in a very strong andsturdy construction. 4

rIhe use of varying heights for the stagl gered link sections produces pleasing and attractive designs; the smaller link sections may be formed as connecting arms joining the side sections to the transverse pivot bar, these arms preferably being laterally displaced with respect to the larger side sections.

If desired, the links may be formed in dif# ferent shapes, such as shown at 3l in Figures 10 and 11, this particular form simulating the appearance of links hingedly connected together by means of a separate pivot pin.

Instead of utilizing lapped ends, it may be I preferable in certain types of chainsto conceal the abutting ends of the side sections,

and to strengthen the joining by staggering the joint. A form of blank 32, such as shownl in Figure l2, may be used4 for this purpose, the ends ofh'thel side sections beingnotched, as at 33, 34 so as to abut with astaggered joint, as shown in Figure 13, instead of lapping. This construction positions the joint on the side of the link, where it is inconspicuous.

While I have described certain constructional forms which embody the principles of my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes in arrangement, in spacing of the link sections, and in strengthening the join-` ing of theI link sides, may be made within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: l

l1. An -ornamental chain comprising a plurality of links, each having a pivot bar por,-

tion disposed at right angles to the length of the chain, and side sections spaced from said pivot bar portion'and connected thereto by ofl'set arms, the ends of each side section being each lapped over the pivot bar portion of lthe nextlink and over each other to hingedly lock the links in parallel relationship.

2. An ornamental chain comprising a plurality of sheet metal links, each having a pivot bar, upper and lower sections spaced from said pivot bar, yand arms connecting the sections and the pivot bar, and hook portions on the upper and lower sections extending into the spaces between the pivot bar and the sections of the next link and each lapping v over the pivot bar and over each other to lock the links in parallely assembled relationship.

3., In an ornamental chain, a series of sheet metal links consisting of a transverse bar, parallel superimposed kside sections spaced from said bar, spaced arms connecting each side section to an edge of said bar, and portions on said side sections bent at right angl-es thereto and ldirectly and hingedly engaging the transverse barof a similar 'adj acent link, saidy portions being in overlapping relationi. In an ornamental-chain, a series of sheet 

